Courses

• LAW JD 735: Judicial Externship: Fieldwork (C)
  The Judicial Externship is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Through the Judicial Externship Program, you may work part-time for credit for a judge in the state or federal court system. As a judicial intern, you will work on assignments typically handled during a post-graduate clerkship. You will spend 16-20 hrs./wk. at your field placement, earning 4-5 ungraded credits. COREQUISITE: Judicial Externship: Judicial Process Seminar (JD 736). NOTE: This clinic satisfies the upper-class professional skills requirement.
• LAW JD 736: Judicial Externship: Judicial Process Seminar
  The Judicial Externship is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. In this seminar, which is the class component for the Judicial Externship Program, we will discuss several issues related to the roles of the judge and judicial intern. We will discuss issues of confidentiality and ethical considerations applicable to judges and to interns and law clerks. We also will explore the differences between trial and appellate courts, which set the parameters within which judges make decisions. Students will receive advanced instruction in legal research and writing applicable to their placements. We will discuss examples of effective and ineffective lawyering that interns observe in their placements. We also will focus on the legal and philosophical foundations of judicial decision-making, and how those influence decisions. Finally, we will discuss specialty courts, and processes that judges use to help parties resolve disputes, such as mediation and settlement. Students will be required to write regular journals and a 15 page final paper. Students may be required to do a class presentation. There will be no final exam but students will be evaluated on their final paper, journals, class participation, and class presentation. NOTE: This seminar does NOT satisfy the professional responsibility requirement. COREQUISITE: Judicial Externship/Fieldwork (JD 735)
• LAW JD 737: Community Courts (S)
  Community courts is a one-semester clinical program that combines a classroom component and a clinical placement one day a week with a judge in a community based state court. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they register. Classes will explore the structure of state trial courts that are based in the community and how they have traditionally operated. The course will also examine the evolution of "problem-solving" or "specialized courts," throughout the country. A non-inclusive list of topics that will be covered during the semester includes: *The Roles and Function of Court Personnel- Including prosecutors, defenders, probation, court clinicians and judiciary. *Restorative Justice and Due Process- Discussions will include consideration of pre-adjudicatory and post-adjudicatory models, including drug, domestic violence and youth courts, and the Red Hook Community Justice Center in Brooklyn. *The First of the Specialized Courts: The Juvenile Court- Discussions will include analysis of relationship of court process to related systems, including public education, mental health and community based service providers. *Ethical Considerations For Lawyers and the Judiciary In Community Engagement. COREQUISITE: Students will also register for Community Courts: Fieldwork (JD 738).
• LAW JD 738: Community Courts: Fieldwork (C)
  Community Courts is a one-semester clinical program that combines a classroom component and a clinical placement one day a week with a judge in a community based state court. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they register. Judges sitting in Massachusetts District, Probate, Juvenile and Housing Courts in Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Dorchester, Roxbury, Lowell, and Lawrence will serve as mentors. Students will work on pending cases as well as projects relating to the long term operation of the court. COREQUISITE: Students will also register for Community Courts: Seminar (JD 737). NOTE: This clinic satisfies the upper-class professional skills requirement.
• LAW JD 739: Semester-in-Practice: Independent Proposal (C)
  The Semester in Practice is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Through the Semester-in-Practice Program, a limited number of students may spend a semester working full-time for credit (10 ungraded credits) at an externship placement outside of Boston. The Program is designed for students who want an intensive hands-on experience - at an opportunity not otherwise available in Boston - furthering specific career and academic goals. Acceptance to the Program is competitive. In addition to securing an externship at a placement organization, students must complete a separate BU Law application available through the Clinical Programs Office. Under this option, students may develop their own proposal for a full-time externship outside of Boston. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Independent Paper (JD 740). NOTE: This clinic satisfies the upper-class professional skills requirement.
• LAW JD 740: Semester-in-Practice: Independent Paper
  The Semester in Practice is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Accepted students will register for 2 graded credits for completing readings, writing a research paper, and for submitting weekly journals. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Independent Proposal (JD 739).
• LAW JD 741: Semester-in-Practice: Human Rights - Geneva (C)
  The Semester in Practice is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Through the Semester-in-Practice Program, a limited number of students may spend a semester working full-time for credit (10 ungraded credits) at an externship placement outside of Boston. The Program is designed for students who want an intensive hands-on experience - at an opportunity not otherwise available in Boston - furthering specific career and academic goals. Acceptance to the Program is competitive. In addition to securing an externship at a placement organization, students must complete a separate BU Law application available through the Clinical Programs Office. Through the Human Rights option, students may spend a semester working in Geneva for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) committed to the protection of human rights. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Human Rights Paper (JD 742). NOTE: This clinic satisfies the upper-class professional skills requirement.
• LAW JD 742: Semester-in-Practice: Human Rights Paper
  The Semester in Practice is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Accepted students will register for 2 graded credits for completing readings, writing a research paper, and for submitting weekly journals. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Human Rights Externship - Geneva (JD 741).
• LAW JD 743: Semester-in-Practice: Death Penalty Externship (C)
  The Semester in Practice is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Through the Semester-in-Practice Program, a limited number of students may spend a semester working full-time for credit (10 ungraded credits) at an externship placement outside of Boston. The Program is designed for students who want an intensive hands-on experience - at an opportunity not otherwise available in Boston - furthering specific career and academic goals. Acceptance to the Program is competitive. In addition to securing an externship at a placement organization, students must complete a separate BU Law application available through the Clinical Programs Office. Students participating in the Death Penalty Externship may work at the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Death Penalty Paper (JD 744). NOTE: This clinic satisfies the upper-class professional skills requirement.
• LAW JD 744: Semester-in-Practice: Death Penalty Paper
  The Semester in Practice is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Accepted students will register for 2 graded credits for completing readings, writing a research paper, and for submitting weekly journals. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Death Penalty Externship (JD 743).
• LAW JD 745: Semester-in-Practice: Government Lawyering - Washington, D.C. (C)
  The Semester in Practice is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Through the Semester-in-Practice Program, a limited number of students may spend a semester working full-time for credit (10 ungraded credits) at an externship placement outside of Boston. The Program is designed for students who want an intensive hands-on experience - at an opportunity not otherwise available in Boston - furthering specific career and academic goals. Acceptance to the Program is competitive. In addition to securing an externship at a placement organization, students must complete a separate BU Law application available through the Clinical Programs Office. Through the Government Lawyering option, students may spend a semester working at a government office in Washington. Examples include opportunities with the staff of a Congressional committee or subcommittee, in the legal office of an administrative agency, or with a federal board/commission. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Government Lawyering Paper (JD 746). NOTE: This clinic satisfies the upper-class professional skills requirement.
• LAW JD 746: Semester-in-Practice: Government Lawyering Paper
  The Semester in Practice is a one-semester clinical program. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Accepted students will register for 2 graded credits for completing readings, writing a research paper, and for submitting weekly journals. COREQUISITE: Semester-in-Practice: Government Lawyering - Washington, D.C. (JD 745).
• LAW JD 747: Discovery: Theory & Practice (S)
  This seminar will involve an in-depth examination of discovery practice under the federal rules of civil procedure. The topics to be covered are set out below. Grades will be derived from a final paper, mini-quizzes and assignments, and classroom participation. There is no required text. 1. History and purpose of discovery. 2. Discovery abuse. 3. Rule 26. The scope of discovery and the major limitations on the scope of discovery. 4. Rule 26. The conference of the parties and planning for discovery. The impact of the local rules on discovery. 5. Rule 26. Self-executing disclosures and expert discovery. 6. e-discovery. 7. Written discovery. Rules 33, 34, and 36 (interrogatories, document requests, and requests for admission). 8. Deposition discovery. Rules 30-32. Rule 45 subpoenas. 9. Rule 37. Failure to cooperate in discovery. Sanctions. 10. Rule 37. Discovery motion practice. 11. Effective discovery. RESTRICTION: Students may not enroll in Discovery and E-discovery (JD 795). NOTES: This seminar does not satisfy the Upper-class Writing Requirement. This seminar satisfies the upper-class professional skills requirement. ** A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar (designated by an (S) in the title), or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.
• LAW JD 748: International and Comparative Legal Research (S)
  An important component of understanding international law is mastering the multi-faceted sources of international law. Students will learn to navigate the international system as well as the relevant primary sources of law. Student will learn research strategies and skills for locating treaties, decisions of international tribunals, documents of international organizations and other sources of state practice. Among the organizations the course will touch upon are the United Nations, the OAS, the EU and the WTO. The final week will be devoted to introducing students to the strategies involved in researching the law of foreign jurisdictions. Students will gain hands-on experience in answering legal research questions in the area of international and comparative law. Classes will combine instruction and hands-on exercises using major print, electronic, and web based resources for international law research. Students will be required to complete short assignments as well as a final project. NOTE: This course meets January 18, 2012 through March 21, 2012. ** A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar (designated by an (S) in the title), or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.
• LAW JD 762: Health Law Externship: Fieldwork (C)
  The Health Law Externship is a one semester clinical program where students work for credit at a non-profit health care organization. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. Through the program, students gain hands-on legal experience under the supervision of practitioners who are experts in the health law field. The Health Law Externship is offered in the fall to 3Ls only (or 2Ls with a prior health law background may be considered with permission of Mr. Moulton). The spring semester is open to 2Ls and 3Ls alike, but preference will be given to 3Ls who have not taken the Civil Litigation Program or the Legal Externship Program. Upon acceptance to the program, Mr. Ben Moulton works with students to identify suitable field placements depending on each student's individual interests and career goals. Once possible placement organizations are identified, students are responsible for applying to those organizations. Before the semester begins, students work with their placement supervisors to determine how many hours they will work during the semester. The schedule must be approved by Mr. Moulton. Students must adhere to this schedule throughout the semester. Students receive variable credits for the fieldwork component, determined as follows: * 3 credits = 150 hours total: * 4 credits = 200 hours total; and * 5 credits = 250 hours total. PREREQUISITE: Health Law (JD 867 in the Law School or LW 751 at the School of Public Health). COREQUISITE: Health Law Externship: Seminar (JD 764). NOTES: Participation in the Health Law Externship may count toward the Concentration in Health Law. This clinic satisfies the upper-class professional skills requirement.
• LAW JD 764: Health Law Externship Seminar
  The Health Law Externship is a one semester clinical program where students work for credit at a non-profit health care organization. Students are required to apply and be accepted to the program before they may register. An integral part of the externship is a one hour weekly seminar examining various health law issues as well as the challenges of working in a non profit environment. The first meeting will orient you to the program; subsequent meetings will discuss the assigned readings in light of your experiences in the externship. The seminar requires students to write a paper and make a class presentation. In addition, each student keeps a weekly journal chronicling their educational experience and reactions to the practice of law observed at the field placements. COREQUISITE: Health Law Externship Program: Fieldwork (JD 762). NOTE: The Health Law Externship does not satisfy the professional responsibility requirement.
• LAW JD 765: Africa i-Parliaments Drafting & Policy Clinic (C)
  The Africa i-Parliaments is a one-semester clinical program offered in the spring. Students must apply and be accepted to the program before they register. In 2008, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), initiated a new program called the African Parliamentary Knowledge Network (APKN) to build the capacity of African parliaments to draft and enact more effective legislation. This clinic supports the APKN initiative by working with clients such as members of African Parliaments, government agencies, and regional government organizations. An in-house clinic, students take advantage of the materials held in the BU Library's various Africa collections, the internet, and communications technology to consult with clients and gather information on various substantive projects. Students work closely with student editors and the professors to produce high quality research reports and draft bill language. Students also add value to APKN by reporting on recently passed African statutes and governmental reform for publication on the APKN's Africa Parliamentary Information Exchange (http://apex.apkn.org/) methodology. Students receive 6 graded credits: 3 for the fieldwork and 3 for a weekly seminar. The weekly seminar focuses on the use of legislation for social change, the legislative processes of Africa, and evidence-based legislation. A limited number of students may satisfy the upperclass writing requirement through this clinic.
• LAW JD 766: Africa i-Parliaments Clinic Editor
  After completing a semester as a drafter, a student may be selected by the clinic faculty to serve as a clinic editor. Editors are selected based on their work as drafters and their enthusiasm for advising drafters. Editors may serve for one or two semesters and receive two credits per semester.
• LAW JD 767: Legislative Policy & Drafting Clinic/African Issues
  The Legislative Policy & Drafting Clinic is a one-semester clinical program offered in the fall. Students must apply and be accepted to the program before they register. Drafters selected for the Legislative Drafting Clinics may enroll in any one of the four clinics. Drafters select their projects from a wide range of topic areas. Each drafter provides the client with a legislative bill and a supporting research report. Most bills are filed in the Massachusetts legislature, and some have become law. Successful completion of the research report satisfies the Upper-class Writing Requirement. During the first half of the semester, drafters in all of the Legislation Clinics meet together in a twice-weekly seminar on legislative problem-solving, research methods and legislative drafting techniques. During the second half of the semester, the clinics separate and meet in small critique groups that bring together drafters, editors and faculty. Critique group members review the first draft of each report and bill. The group advises each drafter on researching facts and law, presenting a persuasive analysis and drafting clear, enforceable legislation. Many drafters have reported that their analytical skills and writing style improved significantly through the critique group process. The Legislation Clinics provide each drafter with a student editor selected from former drafters in the program. Editors advise their drafters throughout every phase of the analysis and drafting process. NOTE: The Legislative Policy & Drafting Clinic satisfies the upper-class professional skills requirement.
• LAW JD 777: Education Law and Policy (S)
  This seminar considers the legal and policy framework of K-12 public education. During the first two-thirds of the meetings, we will study school desegregation; school finance; achievement gap and equity reforms; school choice, charters, and vouchers; single-sex public education and other identity-based schooling; standardized testing; and the federal No Child Left Behind Act. We will give particular consideration to questions of equity and achievement. We will then create working groups that will develop a topic for further research, evaluation, and problem-solving, and present their work in person and in writing to the class. **A student who fails to attend the initial meeting of a seminar (designated by an (S) in the title), or to obtain permission to be absent from either the instructor or the Registrar, may be administratively dropped from the seminar. Students who are on a wait list for a seminar are required to attend the first seminar meeting to be considered for enrollment.

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